​In 1935 Badger Pass was to be the "Switzerland of the West". Part of that dream was a hut and trail system, with huts at Ostrander Lake and beyond. Come join Howard Weamer as he explores what remains of that dream for winter backcountry access. A skier of many routes, Mr. Weamer is the author of The Perfect Art: The Ostrander Hut and Ski Touring in Yosemite. Mr. Weamer has also served as the caretaker of Ostrander Ski Hut for 45 years. So, if you've ever wondered why would anyone go back there, or if you want to be reminded, come hear what he has to say!

NOTE: The Board will be asked to approve all of the following items by a single vote, unless any member of the Board or of the public asks that an item be removed from the consent agenda and considered and discussed separately.

3.1- Approval of Agenda3.2– Approval of Minutes of the regular meeting of February 14, 2019, and March 6, 20193.3- Accept the resignation of Ashley Standen from the Board of Directors3.3–Approve Payroll3.4- Approve Warrants

HEARING OF PERSONS WISHING TO ADDRESS THE BOARD

The public may address the Board on any matter pertaining to the school that is not on the agenda. There will be no Board discussion and no action will be taken unless listed on a subsequent agenda. Speakers will be limited to 3 minutes.

ACTION ITEMS

APPROVAL OF FACILITIES USE PACKET

Consideration and action on the approval of a packet of information to be used by groups or individuals who desire to use the school facilities.

Consideration and action on the approval of a letter to CRMA cancelling insurance coverage as if 12/31/18, entitling YWECS to a partial refund of the premium for 2018-19.

INFORMATION ITEMS

REPORT FROM THE AD HOC COMMITTEE ON “SUPPORT OF THE SCHOOL”

REPORT ON THE EFFECT OF AB 1871 ON YWECS

AB 1871 requires Charters to serve at least one healthy and nutritious school meal daily for any student who qualifies as “needy” (meaning that they meet federal eligibility criteria for a free or reduced-price meal) This meal must meet federal requirements for a “reimbursable” meal.

STAFF REPORTS

BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS

FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS

Request that various items be placed on the next agenda for discussion and/or action.

NEXT BOARD MEETING

Unless otherwise announced, the next regular meeting of the Board of Directors will be scheduled for Wednesday, April 10, 2019 at 5:30 p.m. at the Wawona School.

CLOSED SESSION: Personnel/Negotiations/Litigation

Note: The Board will consider and may act upon any of the following items in closed session. Any action taken will be reported publically at the end of closed session as required by law.

Personnel (Gov. Code 54957)

RECONVENE IN OPEN SESSION: Announce Closed Session Actions

ADJOURNMENT

Wawona Wastewater Treatment System Rehabilitation Project

Dear Friends of Yosemite National Park:

We are pleased to announce the availability of a finding of no significant impact for the Wawona Wastewater Treatment System Rehabilitation Project. After consideration of the environmental assessment and public, tribal, and agency comments, the finding concludes that the project will not significantly affect the quality of the human environment. Preparation of an environmental impact statement is not required. This project will address deferred maintenance, improve visitor experience, and improve the operational efficiency of the Wawona Wastewater Treatment System.

The National Park Service plans to begin implementation of the project in fall of 2019.

Thank you for your interest and comments throughout the project planning process. Public participation is a vital part of the environmental review process in Yosemite National Park. Your participation helps the National Park Service understand and consider your values and concerns.

Daylight Saving Time begins Sunday, March 10​We'll be adjusting our clocks one hour forward.Daylights Saving Time officially starts on Sunday, March 10, at 2 a.m.. A common practice is to adjust your clock before going to bed. According to the History Channel's website, Germany was the first country to officially adopt Daylight Saving Time as a policy. They did so during World War I as an energy conservation tactic in 1916. Great Britain followed suit that summer. Contrary to popular belief, the practice was not popular among farmers, according to the History Channel.It was considered a sacrifice for war-time conservation, but not a practical measure for farmers, who had to wait an extra hour after the day began for sunlight to evaporate dew across crops and fields.

A Lesser Known Wawona:The Local PerspectiveWawona Historians Ed Mee, Tom Phillips, and Tom BoppThursday, March 7, 2019, Wawona Community CenterDoors at 6pm, lecture from 6:30-7:30pm

Come join Wawona historians Ed Mee, Tom Phillips, and Tom Bopp for a unique presentation and discussion on Wawona history. Have you heard about Camp Hoyle or Vagim House? Do you know where the Wawona Arboretum was? Have you ever seen the proposed South Fork River Dam project? This month's Hooting Owl event will feature a panel discussion by three local historians as they address these pieces of Wawona history, and more. There will be time for Q & A with the panel, so bring your questions! You are sure to learn a few new things about this foundational corner of Yosemite National Park.

Caltrans Culvert Repair On Highway 41 Postponed For Weather Posted by: Kellie FlanaganMarch 1, 2019 OAKHURST — Caltrans has postponed construction on Highway 41 in the Oakhurst area that was scheduled to begin on Monday, Mar. 4. The work is now set to start a week later, on Monday, Mar. 11, and otorists should be prepared for traffic delays at that time as construction work gets underway.

Caltrans, in cooperation with Agee Construction, says one-way traffic control on the north end of town will last for about two weeks, weather permitting, as part of a culvert repair project.

Traffic control will be in place on weekdays from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. from Monday, Mar. 11, to Friday, Mar. 22, near Empty Creek Road.

Delays of up to 15 minutes are possible. Closures may continue for longer periods due to delays caused by weather or uncontrollable events during construction.​Construction crews will be conducting one-way traffic control with flagging personnel through the work zone. Commuters are reminded to obey flagging personnel and pay close attention to road construction vehicles and personnel.

The public may address the Board on any matter pertaining to the school that is not on the agenda. There will be no Board discussion and no action will be taken unless listed on a subsequent agenda. Speakers will be limited to 3 minutes.

ACTION ITEMS

APPROVE THE HIRING OF STACY BOYDSTUN AS A TEACHER FOR YWECS FOR THE 2019-2020 SCHOOL YEAR.

APPROVE A SALARY/BENEFIT PACKAGE FOR THE NEW TEACHER HIRE.

APPROVE THE ADVERTISEMENT FOR AN AIDE FOR THE 2019-20 SCHOOL YEAR

INFORMATION ITEM

UPDATE ON EMPLOYEE HOUSING OFFER BY NPS.

BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS

FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS

Request that various items be placed on the next agenda for discussion and/or action.

NEXT BOARD MEETING

Unless otherwise announced, the next regular meeting of the Board of Directors will be scheduled for Wednesday, March 13, 2019 at 5:30 p.m. at the Wawona School.

CLOSED SESSION: Personnel/Negotiations/Litigation

Note: The Board will consider and may act upon any of the following items in closed session. Any action taken will be reported publically at the end of closed session as required by law.

Personnel (Gov. Code 54957)

RECONVENE IN OPEN SESSION: Announce Closed Session Actions

ADJOURNMENT

STATE ROUTE 41 ONE-WAY TRAFFIC CONTROL STARTING MARCH 4th IN MADERA COUNTYThe California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) in cooperation with Agee Construction announces one-way traffic control on State Route 41 near the community of Oakhurst in Madera County for two weeks as part of a culvert repair project.

The following day-time one-way traffic control will be in effect, weather permitting:

Beginning Monday, March 4 through Friday, March 15, one-way traffic control will be in effect on State Route 41 in Madera County near Empty Creek Road. This closure will be in effect Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. until 6 p.m. daily. Delays of up to 15 minutes at a time are possible while crews work on a dilapidated culvert in the area.

Closures may continue for longer periods of time each day if necessary, due to delays caused by weather or uncontrollable events that may occur during construction.

Construction crews will be conducting one-way traffic control during this time with the use of flagging personnel through the work zone. Commuters are reminded to obey flagging personnel and pay close attention to road construction vehicles and personnel.

February 'Firefall' is Back andGlowing

​(

​(CNN) — The natural phenomenon that makes it appear that lava is flowing over a cliff at Yosemite National Park is back, but only for a few days.

"Firefall" is the name for the natural magic trick that creates the illusion at the park in California. It comes to life when the setting sun causes light to hit the waterfall at just the right angle.

You can only see "Firefall" for a short time in February, and it draws hundreds of visitors each night. How it looks varies from year to year, and relies on how much water is flowing in Horsetail Fall.

Vaché Geyoghlian, a photographer from Fresno, California, captured some Instagram-worthy images Monday night. It was his first time photographing the phenomenon.

"My reaction was complete amazement," he told CNN. "I was overwhelmed with excitement to finally get to see it in person AND get some good shots of it too."

"My friend and I got to that specific spot at about 2:00-2:30 p.m. and we were the first ones there," Geyoghlian said. "That didn't last long as the entire area filled with hundreds of people looking to witness/photograph the 'Firefall.'"

If you want to capture the yearly spectacle, you have until this weekend before it dissipates. Reservations are not needed, but you should get there early before the park gets crowded.

"We have a designated parking area at Yosemite Lodge and visitors walk from there to the viewing areas," said National Park Service spokesman Scott Gediman.

Gediman also cautions that weather has played a factor into viewing this year's "Firefall.""With the snow and storm activity recently, it has been hit or miss."​The park does have a 24-hour hotline with information on road and weather conditions: 209-372-0200.

Record Snow Level at Yosemite Ski and Snow Board Area (Badger Pass)

As of Sunday (2/17), there were 111 inches of snow on the stake at the A-Frame. According to park records, that is a historical snow depth record for this date! The Yosemite Snow and Snowboard Area is currently open. (C. Andrews)

Charles (Chuck) Sanford Cushman was born on August 2,1943 at Loma Linda Hospital in San Bernardino, California. He passed away at the age of 75 on December 27, 2018 due to complications from congestive heart failure at Legacy Salmon Creek Medical Center in Vancouver, Washington.

After college, Chuck started a career in sales including his time as a Peanut Vender at Dodger Stadium, and then as an Insurance Broker at Mutual of New York. He later discovered a passion for land rights while helping to protect property rights in the community of Wawona, a small town inside Yosemite National Park, where he owned a cabin and had many close friends. This was the launching pad for his life’s work, and how he later became known to many as the “Father of Land Rights". In 1983 he was appointed to the National Parks Advisory Board by Ronald Reagan. Chuck Cushman was the Founder and Executive Director of American Land Rights Association (ALRA), a politically successful association of private property owners, ranchers, miners, foresters, inholders, outdoor recreation users, and people concerned about environmental issues in all 50 states. ALRA collaborated to protect their way of life from continuing efforts by environmental special interest groups to impose new land use controls, land acquisition programs, and ever expanding excessive environmental regulation.

Chuck Cushman enjoyed bluegrass and folk music. He played the autoharp and organized many folk festivals. He also loved learning about history and was an avid reader. He dedicated many of his last days to writing about his life’s work in a soon to be published biography authored by Ron Arnold.

[IN THE CENTRAL CALIFORNIA AREA] CHAINS ARE REQUIRED ON ALL VEHICLES EXCEPT 4-WHEEL-DRIVE VEHICLES WITH SNOW TIRES ON ALL 4 WHEELS FROM 2 MI NORTH OF BIG CEDAR SPRINGS (MADERA CO) TO 0.5 MI SOUTH OF YOSEMITE NAT'L PARK (MARIPOSA CO)PLEASE RESEARCH CHAIN CONTROL LOCATIONS AS CALTRANS IS CURRENTLY WORKING TO UPDATE CHAIN CONTROL DESCRIPTIONS FOR CONSISTENCY WITH INTERNET MAPPING, LIKE GOOGLE MAPS & MAPQUEST.

NOTE: The Board will be asked to approve all of the following items by a single vote, unless any member of the Board or of the public asks that an item be removed from the consent agenda and considered and discussed separately.

3.1- Approval of Agenda3.2– Approval of Minutes of the regular meeting of January 23, 20193.3- Accept the resignation of Elise Bevington from the Board of Directors3.7–Approve Payroll3.8- Approve Warrants

HEARING OF PERSONS WISHING TO ADDRESS THE BOARD

The public may address the Board on any matter pertaining to the school that is not on the agenda. There will be no Board discussion and no action will be taken unless listed on a subsequent agenda. Speakers will be limited to 3 minutes.

ACTION ITEMS

APPROVAL OF FORM 990

Consideration and Action on Form 990 in order to satisfy audit requirements.

APPROVAL FOR NATURE BRIDGE TO HAVE TEMPORARY ACESS TO SCHOOL BUILDINGS

Consideration and Action on NatureBridge’s request to have temporary access to the school buildings at Wawona.

INFORMATION ITEMS

REPORT FROM THE AD HOC COMMITTEE ON “SUPPORT OF THE SCHOOL”

REPORT ON THE STATUS OF THE SCHOOL BUS

STAFF REPORTS

BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS

FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS

Request that various items be placed on the next agenda for discussion and/or action.

NEXT BOARD MEETING

Unless otherwise announced, the next regular meeting of the Board of Directors will be scheduled for Wednesday, March 13, 2019 at 5:30 p.m. at the Wawona School.

CLOSED SESSION: Personnel/Negotiations/Litigation

Note: The Board will consider and may act upon any of the following items in closed session. Any action taken will be reported publically at the end of closed session as required by law.

Cancelled!Due to complications from weather, Mr. Weamer's talk will be rescheduled to another date, TBD.​

In 1935 Badger Pass was to be the "Switzerland of the West". Part of that dream was a hut and trail system, with huts at Ostrander Lake and beyond. Come join Howard Weamer as he explores what remains of that dream for winter backcountry access. A skier of many routes, Mr. Weamer is the author of The Perfect Art: The Ostrander Hut and Ski Touring in Yosemite. Mr. Weamer has also served as the caretaker of Ostrander Ski Hut for 45 years. So, if you've ever wondered why would anyone go back there, or if you want to be reminded, come hear what he has to say!

Finally! Some Real Snow in Wawona Again!

Feb. 5 - But, unfortunately, along with the snow came the usual power outage. As of Tuesday night (Feb. 5), Wawona was still with no power. Worse, still, several trees are being reported down. With all the dead trees in the area, more are likely to fall, too. (Photos courtesy of Wawona residents, Gary Wuchner, Nancy Robbins, Chad Andrews, Amanda Lee, Yuli Gotsev, Christy Hurlburt and Wayne Heringer. As always, we welcome photos from our readers.)